Music and fashion mogul Russell Simmons threw an intimate gathering of hip-hop heavies and Hollywood entertainers to celebrate their hard work with a night of partying hard poolside at The W hotel in Westwood. Guests that made it on the list for this exclusive party included Simmons’ brother Reverend Run from Run-DMC, rapper Heavy D, Brian Barber, who produced the Outkast videos, Bruce Walker (former senior VP at Motown Records and now at Dreamwork Records), model Tyson Beckford, Minae Noji (Be Cool and Memoirs of a Geisha) Roger Cross (24), Dorian Gregory (Soul Train), and actress Taylor Dayne, among others. Simmons himself was one of the first to arrive with Reverend Run in tow sporting his new Phat Farm Select sneakers that were handed out to happy guests.

He stopped to talk at-length with the press and gave our editor, Loraine Colonello, an exclusive interview inside the party. Simmons attributes his tremendous success to surrounding himself with intelligent, hard-working people, and following his own instincts when it comes to new business ideas. As far as balancing work and play, he centers himself with yoga, stating the importance of taking time to reflect upon oneself.

Guests mingled around the pool that was filled with Phat Farm balloons and glowing Baby Phat ice cubes while enjoying drinks and hors d’ouvres. Although Simmons hangs his hat in New York, there is no city that knows how to work hard and party harder than Los Angeles. Stay tuned to our Fall edition for an in-depth, exclusive Fourth of July interview with Simmons and Kimora Lee in the Hamptons.